Connection apparatus

ABSTRACT

A connection apparatus 10 for mounting a cable to a structure such as a wind turbine or oil rig. The apparatus 10 including a receiving member 14 having a hollow body with a diverging mouth, a latch member 22 movably mounted on the outside of the receiving member 14 with a latch part 24 extending into the receiving member 14. A mounting member 16 is provided which mounts the cable extending therethrough. The mounting member 16 is selectively locatable in the receiving member 14 with the latch part 24 engaging with a retaining formation in the form of a groove 56 to retain the mounting member 16 in the receiving member 14 and hence retain the cable mounted to the structure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/487,787 filed on Aug. 21, 2019, which is the U.S. national phaseof International Application No. PCT/GB2018/050399 filed Feb. 14, 2018,which claims priority from Application No. 1702830.9 filed Feb. 22, 2017in the United Kingdom. The entire contents of these applications areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns apparatus for connecting an elongate flexiblemember to an item.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a number of applications it is necessary for a flexible elongatemember such as a cable to be connected to an item. It is desirable forthe elongate member to be readily connectable to the item, but to beprotected from damage in use. This is particularly the case where theelongate member is likely to be caused to move relative to the item,such as for instance when located subsea. In such a location theelongate member may be subject to tidal and/or wave movement and othermovement of the water, which potentially could cause the elongate memberto be damaged.

Such applications can include cables extending to marine wind turbines,oil rigs or such structures. Such cables are often mounted to tubes,often referred to as “J Tubes” which are provided on the exterior ofsupport structures such as legs. It is required to provide a readilyusable connector for the mounting of for instance cables to such tubes.A number of prior arrangements have been proposed. These have often notprovided sufficient protection to the elongate member. They have alsooften been difficult to connect, and if necessary to subsequentlydisconnect, in such environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is providedconnection apparatus for mounting a cable to a structure, the apparatusincluding a receiving member on the structure, the receiving membercomprising a cylindrical hollow body with a diverging mouth, a latchmember movably mounted on the outside of the body with a latch partselectively extending into the body, and a mounting member through whichthe cable can extend, the mounting member being locatable in the bodywith the latch part selectively engageable with a retaining formation onthe mounting member to retain the mounting member in the body and hencethe cable mounted to the structure.

The apparatus may be arranged such that the latch part automaticallyengages with the mounting member as the mounting member is introducedinto the body.

The retaining formation may comprise a circumferential formation, whichmay comprise a groove.

The latch member may be selectively movable between an engagementposition in which the latch part can engage with the mounting member,and a disengagement position in which the latch part is clear of themounting member such that the mounting member can be withdrawn from thehollow body.

The latch member may be pivotally mounted on the outside of the hollowbody and may be urged to an engagement position. A pivot pin may beprovided on the latch member engageable with a pivot formation on theoutside of the hollow member. The latch part may be provided on thelatch member on one side of the pivot formation, with a resilient memberon the other side of the pivot formation urging the latch part into themounting member.

The pivot pin may be selectively removable from the pivot formation topermit release of the latch member from the hollow body. The pivot pinmay include a formation to enable the pin to break to permit removalfrom the pivot formation. Alternatively or in addition, a removablefastening member may be provided on the pivot pin to retain the pivotpin on the pivot formation.

A link formation may be provided on the latch member to permit the latchmember to be moved to a disengagement position by remote operation. Thelink formation may be provided on said one side of the pivot formation,and the link formation may be provided on the opposite side of the latchmember to the pivot formation. The link formation may comprise anopening, and line means may be provided extending from the linkformation.

The latch part may have an outwardly facing inclined edge, with whichinclined edge the mounting member is engageable when entering the hollowbody, such that the latch part is urged outwardly until the latch partengages with the retaining formation.

The latch part may have an at least generally radially aligned edgefacing inwardly to retain the mounting member in the hollow body oncethe latch part engages with the retaining formation.

A stop formation may be provided in the hollow body against which stopformation the distal end of the mounting member is engageable when fullyin the hollow body. A seal member may be provided on the hollow bodyagainst which seal member the mounting member engages when fully in themounting member. The seal member may include a profiled resilientmember.

The mounting member may have a converging distal end. The part of thehollow member which receives the distal end of the mounting member maybe correspondingly profiled.

The mounting member may include a first distal part and a secondproximal part. The distal part may be more rigid than the proximal part.

Formations may be provided within the hollow body to urge the mountingmember into a required alignment as it enters into the hollow body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way ofexample only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:—

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view in use of part of connectionapparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a first part of the apparatusof FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic side view of a second part of the apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of the first and secondparts of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in engagement; and

FIGS. 6 to 12 are diagrammatic cross sectional sequential views of thefirst and second parts of an apparatus similar to that shown in FIG. 1being connected together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The drawings show a connection apparatus 10 for connecting a cable asshown diagrammatically by the center line 12 in FIGS. 6-12, to an itemsuch as a J tube which could be located on a structure such as a windturbine or oil rig. The connection apparatus 10 comprises a receivingmember 14 which could be mounted for instance to the end of a J member.A flange 15 is provided on one distal end of the receiving member 14which permits mounting to a corresponding flange on an end of the Jtube. The apparatus 10 also comprises a mounting member 16 which mountsthe cable so as to extend therethrough.

The receiving member 14 comprises a cylindrical tube 18 with a divergingmouth 20 at the proximal other end to the flange 15. A latch member 22is provided in the form of a profiled arm with a latch part 24 extendingtherefrom. The latch member 22 is provided on the outside of thereceiving member 14, and is pivotally mounted thereto by a pivot pin 25extending between two spaced projections 26 on the outside of thereceiving member 14, close to the beginning of the mouth 20. The pivotpin 25 may have a frangible formation to permit shearing thereof, and/orinclude a fastener means such as a split pin 27 at one end thereof. Ahead 28 with a through hole is provided at the opposite end of the pin25 to any fastener means, to enable line means to be connected to thepin 25 if necessary to perhaps cause removal or shearing thereof ifnecessary.

A polymer spring 30 is provided on the latch member 22 at the endnearest the receiving member mouth 20 opening, and is engageable withthe outside of the receiving member 14 to urge that end of the latchmember 22 away from the receiving member 14. The opposite end of thelatch member 22 is gently cranked and includes a through hole 32 topermit remote operation thereof if required.

A latch part 24 extends from part way along the latch member 22 andextends through an opening 36 into the receiving member 14. The latchpart 24 is selectively movable into and out of the receiving member 14by pivotal movement of the latch member 22. The latch part 24 has aninclined face 38 facing towards the receiving member mouth 20. Theopposite face of the latch part 34 has a generally radial face 40.

A lifting point 34, in the form of an outwardly extending web with threethrough holes is provided on the outside of the receiving member 14,adjacent the distal end, the left as shown in the drawings of the latchmember 22.

A sealing/stop ring 42 is provided within the receiving member 14towards the distal end thereof, with a converging opening 44. Twoelongate guide members 46 are provided on the inside of the receivingmember 14 extending from adjacent the mouth 20 thereof to adjacent thesealing/stop ring 42.

The mounting member 16 comprises a profiled distal part 48 and aproximal part 50 interconnected extending therefrom.

Both the distal and proximal parts 48, 50 are formed of two semicircularparts 47, 49, which parts 47, 49 are held together by respective straps51.

The proximal part 50 is made of a more flexible material than the distalpart 48, and can be connected to a bend limiter extending around thecable. The bend limiter 52 restricts the amount of bending of the cable,and hence protects the cable 12 from damage thereto.

One or both parts 48, 50 of the mounting member 16 may be made forinstance of polyurethane, with different grades providing differentflexibility.

The distal part 48 of the mounting member 16 has a converging end 54from which a cable can sealingly extend. A retaining formation 56 in theform of a circumferential groove is provided around the mounting memberdistal part 48, towards the proximal end thereof.

In use the receiving member 14 will be mounted or otherwise located asdiscussed above, on a J tube or elsewhere. The mounting member 16sealingly provided on a cable is introduced into the mouth 20 of thereceiving member 14 and moved thereinto (FIG. 6).

The end 54 of the mounting member 16 will engage against the inclinedface 38 of the latch part 34, (FIG. 7) urging the latch part 34outwardly to enable the mounting member 16 to continue moving into thereceiving member 14, until the mounting member end 54 contacts thesealing ring 42 (FIG. 10) to eventually prevent further movement intothe receiving member 14 (FIG. 12). With the sealing member 44 on thesealing stop ring 42, providing a seal between the receiving andmounting members 14, 16 a seal at this point.

Around the point that the end 54 of the mounting member 16 reaches thering 42, the retaining formation groove 56 will become aligned with thelatch part 34, which latch part 34 will therefore drop into the groove56 by virtue of the polymer spring 30 acting between the latch member 22and receiving member 14. The radial rear face 40 of the latch part 34will engage against the distal edge of the retaining groove 56, andretain the mounting member 16 in the receiving member 14. As thereceiving member 14 enters the mounting member 16 the guide members 46urge the mounting member 16 into a correct alignment in the receivingmember 14.

The cable will now be securely connected to a J tube, and a seal will beprovided between the receiving member 14 and mounting member 16 toprevent ingress of moisture into the J tube. A pointed pull in head 58may be mounted to the distal end of the mounting member 16 and/or thecable to assist insertion of the cable. The pull in head 58 is of a sizeto be able to pass through the sealing/stop ring 42.

If it is required to disconnect the cable, which is not likely to be aregular occurrence, but may be necessary for instance for maintenance,repair or refurbishment, it is necessary for the latch part 34 to beremoved from the groove 56. This can potentially be achieved in a numberof ways. If a line means or other control is connected to the hole 32this can be pulled to urge the latch part 34 outwardly. If this does notwork, or no connection is provided to the hole 32, the pivot pin 24 canbe removed. This could be achieved by causing the pivot pin 24 to shear,or by removing the fastening means 27. These operations may be carriedout remotely, or perhaps by a diver as is appropriate, and potentiallyusing the head 28 with the through hole.

In this instance the receiving member is made from an appropriate metal.The latch member is metallic and may be made from coated stainlesssteel, carbon steel, titanium or perhaps a combination of thesematerials. Composite materials may though be a possibility for the latchmember. As indicated the mounting member may be made of plasticsmaterial such as for instance polyurethane. The distal and proximalparts of the mounting member may be made of different materials, ordifferent grades of material to provide the different degrees offlexibility.

There is thus described a connection apparatus which readily permitsautomatic connection, and protection for a cable when in position. Theconnection can be disconnected by a one of a number of methods, ifrequired.

It is to be realized that a wide range of modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention. For instancedifferent materials may be used than those indicated above. The latchmember may take a different form, and different disconnectionarrangements for the latch member could be provided. The mounting membermay take a different form. The receiving member could be mounteddifferently to a J tube, or could be integrally formed therewith. Whilstreference to mounting a cable to a J tube has been made, it is to berealized that apparatus according to the invention could be used in awide range of different applications.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention tothose features of the invention believed to be of particular importanceit should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respectof any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbeforereferred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particularemphasis has been placed thereon.

1-28. (canceled)
 29. Connection apparatus for mounting a cable to astructure, the connection apparatus including: a receiving member forlocation on the structure, the receiving member comprising a cylindricalhollow body with a diverging mouth; a latch member, movably mounted onthe outside of the body, having a latch part that is selectivelyextendable into the cylindrical hollow body; a mounting member throughwhich the cable can extend, the mounting member being locatable in thecylindrical hollow body with the latch part selectively engageable witha retaining formation on the mounting member to retain the mountingmember in the cylindrical hollow body and hence the cable mounted to thestructure; and a stop formation against which a distal end of themounting member is engageable when fully in the cylindrical hollow body.30. The connection apparatus according to claim 29, in which a sealmember is provided on the cylindrical hollow body against which sealmember the mounting member engages when fully in the mounting member.31. The connection apparatus according to claim 30, in which the sealmember includes a profiled resilient member.
 32. The connectionapparatus according to claim 29, in which the mounting member has aconverging distal end.
 33. The connection apparatus according to claim32, in which a part of the cylindrical hollow body which is forreceiving the distal end of the mounting member is correspondinglyprofiled.
 34. The connection apparatus according to claim 29, in whichthe mounting member includes a first distal part, which includes thedistal end, and a second proximal part, wherein the first distal part ismore rigid than the second proximal part.
 35. The connection apparatusaccording to claim 29, in which formations are provided within thecylindrical hollow body to urge the mounting member into a requiredalignment as it enters into the cylindrical hollow body.
 36. Theconnection apparatus according to claim 29, in which the connectionapparatus is arranged such that the latch part automatically engageswith the mounting member as the mounting member is introduced into thebody.
 37. The connection apparatus according to claim 29, in which theretaining formation comprises a circumferential formation.
 38. Theconnection apparatus according to claim 29, in which the retainingformation comprises a groove.
 39. The connection apparatus according toclaim 29, in which the latch member is selectively movable between anengagement position in which the latch part can engage with the mountingmember, and a disengagement position in which the latch part is clear ofthe mounting member such that the mounting member can be withdrawn fromthe cylindrical hollow body.
 40. The Connection apparatus according toclaim 29, in which the latch member is pivotally mounted on the outsideof the cylindrical hollow body.
 41. The connection apparatus accordingto claim 40, in which a pivot pin is provided on the latch memberengageable with a pivot formation on the outside of the hollow member.42. The connection apparatus according to claim 41, in which the latchpart is on one side of the pivot formation and a resilient member isprovided on the other side of the pivot formation, the resilient memberbeing configured to urge the latch part into the mounting member. 43.The connection apparatus according to claim 41, in which the pivot pinis selectively removable from the pivot formation to permit release ofthe latch member from the cylindrical hollow body.
 44. The connectionapparatus according to claim 29, in which a link formation is providedon the latch member to permit the latch member to be moved to adisengagement position by remote operation.
 45. The connection apparatusaccording to claim 44, in which the link formation comprises an opening.46. The connection apparatus according to claim 44, in which a line isprovided for extension from the link formation.
 47. Connection apparatusfor mounting a cable to a structure, the connection apparatus including:a receiving member for location on the structure, the receiving membercomprising a hollow body with a diverging mouth; a latch member, movablymounted on the outside of the body, having a latch part that isselectively extendable into the hollow body; a mounting member throughwhich the cable can extend, the mounting member being locatable in thebody with the latch part selectively engageable with a retainingformation on the mounting member to retain the mounting member in thebody and hence the cable mounted to the structure; and a stop formationagainst which a distal end of the mounting member is engageable when inthe hollow body.
 48. Connection apparatus for mounting a cable to astructure, the connection apparatus including: a receiving member forlocation on the structure, the receiving member comprising a hollow bodywith a diverging mouth; a latch member, movably mounted on the outsideof the body, having a latch part that is selectively extendable into thehollow body; a mounting member through which the cable can extend, themounting member being locatable in the hollow body with the latch partselectively engageable with a retaining formation on the mounting memberto retain the mounting member in the hollow body and hence the cablemounted to the structure; and a seal against which a converging distalend of the mounting member is engageable when in the hollow body,wherein when the converging distal end of the mounting member is engagedwith the seal, further movement of the mounting member into the hollowbody is prevented.